Epping said:
Actually, I just read they had the best year ever this past year and financially were really solid.
You bet! Companies that help restructure other companies do exactly what you describe. They don't buy the company to keep it, but rather to make it into a valuable asset for resale. They were successful and presented to Audi/VW a package that can make them a lot of money in the future, not to mention the marketing cachet that Ducati brings.
I'm kinda surprised Fiat/Chrysler didn't buy them, It would have been a good match marketing-wise, but they have a lot of other issues just trying to sell Fiats in America and overcome their own stigma from the past. ("Fix It Again, Tony" ring a bell?) I suspect Fiat has brought their game up some, as well. Bringing in Chrysler engineering had to help.
Hannebone: I suspect you had a VW or Audi that was produced in the 80's or early 90's. They definitely had issues. I fought through those years with them myself. They, as have most auto companies, brought their game up a lot in recent years.
Not selling VW's on the side, just sayin'.
Paul